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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Sister City Committee - 04/05/2004 - Sister City Steering Committee Regular Meeting Monday,April 5,2004 City Hall-Council Chambers—1201 Leopard Street Corpus Christi,Texas 78401 MEMBERS PRESENT " MEMBERS ABSENT STAFF Dr. Mufid Abudiab Gary Hansen Edna Balboa Chris Kailas Regis Barber Elizabeth R. Iglesias Valerie Ballesteros Barbara Williams Judy Benkendorfer Ellen Murry Dr. Kent Byus Dr. Hsiu"Mindy"Chang Sharon Phillips Drue Combs Sue Dulaney John Rocha Sarah Hicks Randy Farrar Yalee Shih Ann Jaime Rose Gunji Bebe Moms Amanda Jane Haney I. CALL TO ORDER: The regular meeting of the Sister City Steering Committee was called to order at 6:13 p.m. by Chair, Randy Farrar. II. Introduction of new superintendent: Chris Kailas introduced Dr.Gustavo Valadez Ortiz as the new superintendent for Multicultural Services. III ROLL CALL: Recording Secretary called roll, announced quorum. IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion made by Regis Barber and seconded by Yalee Shih to approve Minutes of the March 1,2004 meeting as corrected. Section 6B V. HEARING FROM THE PUBLIC No comments from the public VI. TREASURER'S REPORT Chris Kailas gave the treasurers report of$16,209 with$500.being added from expenses from last year. $3,000 has been subtracted for trip to Keelung. Expenses for August activities will be taken from the 2005 budget. It was discussed when would the tickets for the exchange students be paid, itineraries have not yet been finalized to purchase tickets at the lowest price, however they will be paid from 2004 budget.Chris Kailas listed the expenditures of the budget: travel,activities, prizes and a few incidentals. Gary Hansen discussed the budget as it related to the Volunteer Exchange Program. It was explained the expenditures for the Volunteer Exchange Program for this year would come from next year's budget. The budget would pay for 1 of the 2 volunteers travel or pay half of travel for 2 volunteers. It was discussed when the tickets for the exchange students would be purchased and tickets would be purchased at the lowest price VII. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. ACTION ITEM: Discussion and vote on adjustment of travel times for exchange students—Randy Farrar led discussion with information regarding the beginning of school. The 2004 school is scheduled to being on August 12th which means the travel schedule for the exchange students will have to be changed to a week earlier than previously scheduled except for Japan. Spain will not be participating in this year's exchange program our exchange student for Spain will possibly be sent France. It was suggested by Randy Farrar to keep Spain in the 2004 exchange.The exchange for Spain would be leave June 16, return July 14th and leave August 18th. France leave June 30th, return July 21st and leave August 11th. All other exchanges would be leave July 14th return July 28th and leave August 11th except for Yokosuka who will leave August 18th. Judy Benkendorfer, Liaison for Activities for the students confirmed that activities will begin July 29th. It was suggested that the exchange students for n be notified of the possibility of a change in their exchange country. Gary Hansen made a motion SCANN�� - to approve the change in the travel schedule for the exchange student for 2004, seconded by Ellen Murry. It was voted on and the motion passed. B. Discussion on the by-laws concerning attendance and the lack of an absentee statement—Randy Farrar led discussion on by-laws and the absolute rule. Chris Kailas explained that If a member of the SCC misses more than 4 meetings within a year they are automatically removed from the roster. Chris Kailas explain that after speaking with the City Secretary's office it was explained there is a policy for certain problems for example: illness or death or if a member is on SCC business that is an excused absence. However, business trips are not considered an excused absence from SCC meetings. Regis Barber requested that a copy of the by-laws be given to each of the SCC members for perusal and be discussed at the next meeting. It was suggested that missing 25% of eleven meeting was 2.75 meeting so if 3 meeting were missed the member would be off of the committee. It was discussed that the by-laws would be handed out at the next meeting. C. Discussion on recruitment of students to attend the Fort Worth Youth Conference- It was discussed that 3 students have been submitted to attend the youth conference. Those students are: Dr. Byus' son, Ellen Murry's son and Jason Horn. The conference is interested in youth participating who are. interested in peace issues to understand the need for world peace and prevention of terrorism. VIII. COMMITTEE REPORTS A. Wheelchairs For Peace—Ellen Murry reported that the wheelchairs are scheduled to be delivered early fall. The international organization which is assisting with this project want to field this project through Rotary to avoid any complications. Representatives with The Rotary Club in Veracruz have been working with Ms. Murry along with the District Governor of Veracruz to complete the project. The contracts for the wheelchairs are being rewritten in English and Spanish. Ann Jaime and Sue Dulaney are schedule to be in Veracruz, May 6th and will contact the Rotary representatives. The presentation of the wheelchairs is tentatively scheduled for September and the Mayor and City Secretary of Corpus Christi are planning to be in Veracruz to make the presentation. B. Focus Groups/Youth Programming—No report. C. Award Nominations Report—Randy Farrar reported that the awards nomination deadline has been postponed until April 29th.A request was made that reports be into Chris Kailas by April 20th. D. Agen, France—Ann Jaime reported our exchange students will be leaving here June 30th and returning July 21st with their exchange students and they will return home August 11th. She will contact France about changes in dates and that we will accept and additional student. E. Keelung-Yalee Shih reported she will check to see if Keelung will send an additional student preferably a male student. F. Monterrey, Mexico—Ann Jaime reported she met with the representative of the new mayor of Monterrey and that the new administration had no documentation of previous exchange programs, however,they are interested in participating in the exchange program. They expressed an interest in expanding the program to include arts and music to promote cultural events with us. They have a lot of good artist who would like to showcase their artwork in Corpus Christi. G. Toledo,Spain—Mufid Abudiab reported Spain cancelled the student exchange for this year and he had no report but suggested that we wait until Anne Jaime makes her next report on France as to whether the students that were to visit Spain would be going to France. H. Veracruz, Mexico—Sharon Phillips will e-mail the Veracruz sister city the official dates of the exchange. I. Yokosuka, Japan- Gary Hansen reported the VIP Exchange with the 2 students was a success. They visited child care facilities and were hosted by several sister city members. It was discussed that the students handed out business cards and it might be a good idea for our students to have cards with information on how to correspond with them. It was also suggested that the city logo be on the card. VIII STAFF REPORT Chris Kailas had already made her report. IX. CURRENT CONCERNS Rose Gunji reported there will be a dedication of a peace pole on Friday April 23`d at Schanen Elementary School. It will be the second peace pole dedication but the first at a school. Council members,the new Director of Multicultural Center Programs along with last years exchange students will be present for the dedication. X. ADJOURNMENT—A motion was made by Regis Barber and seconded by Yalee Shih. The meeting adjourned at 7:18 p.m. jed.„:„ Chris Kailas, Supervisor Park& Recreation Department